Classic creamy crockpot mac and cheese that uses Velveeta cheese. This homemade slow cooker mac and cheese is ready in 2 hours! Toddler, kid and husband approved!
Easy Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe
You’re going to love this crockpot macaroni and cheese recipe because it’s super creamy, ultra-cheesy, and ridiculously easy! This homemade mac and cheese is made with Velveeta and uncooked noodles—meaning almost no prep. Just toss everything into the slow cooker, hit the cook button, and let the magic happen!
My kids are obsessed with mac and cheese, so this dinner always gets rave reviews. And to make it a full, comforting meal, I love serving it with a side of fluffy dinner rolls—because what’s better than buttery, soft rolls to scoop up all that cheesy goodness? If you’re feeling nostalgic, try pairing this with stewed tomatoes—it’s a classic combo that gives the dish a cozy, old-school diner feel.
And if you’re looking for ways to sneak veggies into your mac and cheese make sure to try my Baked Mac and Cheese with Peas and Tomato Macaroni and Cheese next – they’re both tangy, cheesy, and absolutely unforgettable.
No matter how you serve it, this crockpot mac and cheese is about to become a new family favorite. Let’s dig in!
Can you cook dry pasta in a slow cooker?
Yes, you absolutely can cook dry pasta in the slow cooker! The elbow noodles for this recipe are cooking in a liquid made up of milk and butter, so the noodles will cook during the 2 hours the slow cooker is on. There’s no need to cook the noodles first!
How long does mac and cheese take to make?
In the slow cooker, mac and cheese takes around 2 hours. After 2 hours check the noodles. If they still aren’t done, cook for 30 minutes more.
What cheese is best for mac and cheese?
I recommend Velveeta for this recipe because it makes a super creamy (and nostalgic) mac and cheese!
Don’t like Velveeta cheese? Well, we can’t be friends. Ok, ok, use (2) 8-ounce bags of shredded cheese or (2) 8-ounce blocks of cubed cheddar cheese (yellow or white).
How to Make Mac and Cheese in the Crockpot
Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray.
Add uncooked elbow macaroni, whole milk, melted butter, evaporated milk, Velveeta cheese, salt and pepper, garlic powder, dry mustard and paprika in the slow cooker and stir.
Tip: Please don’t skip the evaporated milk, it’s going to make the mac and cheese really creamy without the extra fat and (heavy feeling) that heavy cream does.
Cover and cook on LOW. Test the noodles—cook longer if needed.
Serve and enjoy your creamy macaroni and cheese! I like serving it next to a green vegetable like peas or broccoli.
Can I bring this to a potluck?
While this crockpot macaroni is great for family dinner, you can also bring it to a potluck because it’s a great easy dish! You can even double the recipe for more people! Simply keep the slow cooker on the “warm” setting when serving.
Want to make broccoli mac and cheese?
Add one bag of frozen broccoli to the slow cooker to make broccoli mac and cheese.
Important Recipes Note
Elbow Noodles: Make sure to use regular elbow macaroni for this recipe. Do not use pre-cooked noodles.
If you want to use gluten-free noodles, it might take longer – closer to the 2.5-3 hour range.
Pin for later:
Crockpot Mac and Cheese (with Velveeta)
PrintIngredients
- 16 ounce box elbow macaroni uncooked
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 5 ounce can evaporated milk
- 16 ounce block Velveeta cheese cut up into cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Spray a slow cooker with nonstick spray on the bottom and slides.
- Add all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and mix.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours, stirring once or twice while it cooks. After 2 hours test the noodles. If noodles aren't done, cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy this crockpot mac and cheese!
Dana says
Cannot wait to try? Can I double this recipe?
Pamela Reed says
Yes, you can double the ingredients! Enjoy!
John Doe says
Recipe is not made right and it burned easily in the crockpot even on low. Definitely needs more liquid
Leslie says
I made this – followed recipe exactly. Creamy & macaroni is a great texture. My paprika happened to be smoked & it added great flavor! Will make again, for sure.
Pamela Reed says
Ooh! Love that touch of smoked paprika! So happy you liked it! 🙂
Renee says
Dang! Next time, smoked paprika! Mine is still cooking! Looking forward to it!
Holly Graskewitz says
Tasted good, but I doubled the recipe & it took 3.5 hours. Was supposed to be for a funeral dinner and was too late. Also, where I live, no such thing as a 5 oz can of evaporated milk.
Pamela Reed says
Thanks for stopping by Holly. Most grocery stores here, big and small have 5 ounce cans, so apologies you couldn’t find it!
Maria says
I am making it now and doubling it. I don’t have enough of milk so I added a cup of half and half. I also did 10 oz of evaporated milk. Is that ok? And also I’m doing the macaroni separate and going to add it like a half an hour before done. Fo you think that’s ok?
Sydney says
Would it be a horrible idea to have everything mixed the night before and then just throw in the crockpot the day of?? Would the noodles absorb too much milk or would it be okay? Have zero time to spare and having the hubby throw it into the crockpot. Trying to make it as simple as possible for him 😂
Julie says
My Family likes the top “baked” with breadcrumbs and butter. Could I take it out of the crockpot and finish it the oven this way for about 10 minutes. Will it dry out? That’s always my issue when making Mac n Cheese.
Pamela Reed says
You could absolutely do this! I would probably transfer it to a baking dish though to be safe. Hope this helps!
Erika says
I have not yet made this recipe, but would like to for about 25 people. Any recommendations for tripling this recipe??
Colleen says
Can I make this a day before and just reheat it on warm the next day for a party?
Nari says
Serving size and nutritional information missing in recipe from what I see.
Shannon says
Can I use 2% milk instead of whole milk?
Pamela Reed says
Yes you can!
Kay says
Does the butter have to be melted? I’m making this at an office and plan to take the crockpot with the pasta and Velveeta inside. Then I will add the milk, butter, and spices before cooking.
Pamela Reed says
I recommend using melted butter so you don’t need to keep stirring it. Does the office have a microwave in the kitchen area? If not, you can use unmelted butter, but make sure to stir a couple times. Enjoy!
sandybrand says
If I would double this recipe would a 7 quart crockpot be big enough? Thank you.
Pamela Reed says
Yeah! I’m using a 7 quart in my pictures and you can tell there’s plenty of room left!
Kathyhurt says
I love this recipe
Pamela Reed says
Thank you Kathy! So happy to hear this, thanks for stopping by!
Dawna Brown says
Can I use almond milk
Karen says
I decided to try this but am wondering if you stir it at all during the 2 hr. cook time on low? It seems like you should but I read a comment about hers being mushy and maybe she stirred it too much. Please let me know. Thanks.
Pamela Reed says
Hey Karen, you only need to stir once or twice – nothing more! Enjoy the mac and cheese!
Donna Mckinney says
Can I freeze left overs
Pamela Reed says
Yes, you can freeze leftover mac and cheese! I put leftovers directly in freezer-safe containers and freezer bags. It should freeze well for 3 months. Hope this helps!
Robin Kurzrok says
I tried this recipe for the uncooked macaroni version of mac and cheese for the first time today. I added a few ingredients to it to accommodate my family. Some red bell pepper cut up in small pieces and a half a can of cream of mushroom soup plus a third of a brick of Velveeta cheese and some creole seasoning on top with some shredded cheddar. My own touch of 6 oz of creamed cheese makes it nice and creamy. I kept my eye on the noodles and added more milk as needed to get the consistency I was looking for. Wonderful creamy mac and cheese.
Pamela Reed says
So happy to hear you liked this mac and cheese Robin! Thanks so much for sharing your additions, sounds delicious!
Tina Mann says
If I want to double it do I double everything including the mac?
Pamela Reed says
Yes, you can just double the ingredients!
Reylene says
This recipe has a really good flavor. I followed the recipe exactly and my macaroni turned to mush. I believe this is what happens when you don’t boil it first.
Pamela Reed says
Hey Reylene, you don’t need to boil the pasta – that’s the joy of this recipe! If the macaroni turned to mush, they probably were overcooked – I would try a little less time next time. Thanks for stopping by!
Carol Godissart says
Can I use shredded Velveeta cheese.
Pamela Reed says
Hey Carol, yes you can.
GinaK says
What is the serving size or amount?
Pamela Reed says
Serves 6-8. Hope this helps.
A Hart says
I am so impressed. I’ve tried COUNTLESS mac & cheese recipes…with fancy cheese,
lots of prep, etc. This will be my go-to moving forward. I had my
doubts. It seemed runny, but came
together BEAUTIFULLY. Measured & made to a T.
The only thing i did differently was top with some shredded cheddar/parm and threw in the oven on 375 for a few mins to get a golden brown top.
RM Rush says
can you use bowtie pasta?
what to substitute for evaporated milk?
Lorie K says
I doubled it and it took 3 hrs. It went from really creamy
Janet says
Please, please, please don’t shake the ingredients in front of camera. Labels are impossible to read. Thank you.
Lindsey says
Can I put it on high for a shorter cook time?
Ashlee says
Why can you use gluten free noodles?
Pamela Reed says
Hey Ashlee, you totally can! I just included that note because gluten-free noodles sometimes takes longer. I included directions in the post now for gluten-free mac and cheese! Hope that helps! 🙂
Kim says
When the recipe is doubled is 2 hours still adequate cook time?
Pamela Reed says
Yes, time stays the same. Enjoy the mac and cheese!
Lorie Kollock says
I am doubling it too, for a 7qt crock pot. I think I will tack on an extra hr because we like our macaroni very soft. Do you think that would be good? How did yours turn out though?
Alexis Wheeler says
What do I put the crockpot on?
Pamela says
You cook on low.
Denise says
My evaporated milk came in 12 ounce can, should I use it all or only 5 ounces?
Pamela says
No, you should only use 5 ounces.
Denise says
Thank you for your quick response. I’m making it now. I only added 5 ounces. I will let you know what hubby thinks.